Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
  • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
  • A61F13/491—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern
  • A61F13/4915—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers specially adapted for gender distinct urine discharge pattern specially adapted for male use
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
  • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
  • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
  • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
  • A61F13/49017—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means the elastic means being located at the crotch region
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
  • A41B2400/00—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass
  • A41B2400/52—Functions or special features of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass disposable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
  • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
  • A61F2013/49068—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterized by the shape of the outline
  • A61F2013/49077—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers characterized by the shape of the outline as "T"-shaped
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
  • A61F2013/530481—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials
  • A61F2013/53051—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials being only in particular parts or specially arranged
  • A61F2013/530525—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having superabsorbent materials, i.e. highly absorbent polymer gel materials being only in particular parts or specially arranged the maximum being at front or rear

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an absorbent article of pants-like shape, such as incontinence pants, nappy pants or sanitary towel pants, comprising an elastic waist portion, an absorbent element, which has a length and a width and is intended to at least cover the genitals of the wearer during use of the article, and a liquid-impermeable outer layer which is intended to enclose the absorbent element on at least that side thereof which faces away from the wearer during use of the article.
• the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such absorbent articles of pants-like shape.
• Absorbent disposable products for taking up urine, faeces or menstrual blood have developed greatly since they came into more general use during the 1960s and 1970s. As they are disposable products, it is necessary that they can be manufactured and sold at a very low price. At the same time, it is important that the products function well and reliably. Good fit and comfort are also important characteristics.
• the first disposable nappies were made of two-part products, consisting of an outer pant made of plastic, intended to be re-used, and a rectangular absorbent insert for disposable use. The absorbent material in these inserts initially consisted of cellulose tissue. Later, better absorption materials made of what is known as fluff pulp made of cellulose were developed. The fit and comfort of these early nappies were poor.
• a thinner, smaller absorption body is more comfortable and more discreet, which is especially important for adult incontinent wearers.
• a reduction in volume is also very important financially because the product then requires less storage space and is easier to transport and takes up less shelf space in shops. This is important for the financial management of the shops, and if a manufacturer can produce products requiring less space in the shops than the products of the competitors, this affords a not inconsiderable competitive advantage.
• nappy pants which have elastic portions for improved fit and comfort and increased flexibility during movements of the wearer compared with conventional absorbent articles.
• An early patent publication relating to nappy pants of the disposable type is GB 2 112 267-A.
• this publication from 1983 discloses primitive nappy pants which did not become a commercial product.
• absorbent articles of pants-like shape and construction become a major commercial product.
• Pants-like articles now exist in the form of nappies for infants and nappies for adults and to some extent sanitary towel pants for absorption of menstrual fluid.
• nappy pants have been designed in principle like conventional nappies with a front portion and a rear portion and also an intermediate crotch portion, the front and rear portions being interconnected by a side seam between each leg opening and the waist opening of the pants.
• the nappy pants have been produced by plane nappy-like pieces being produced in a continuous web, the individual nappy pants being formed by nappy-like blanks being folded double and provided with said side seams to form nappy pants.
• These side seams project laterally from the finished product and are undesirable because they project and interfere with the fit of garments worn over the top. On account of their shape, they are visible through garments worn on top of the nappy pants and fitting closely around the body. They can also snag in clothing and even cause tears in nylon tights.
• Such projecting side seams can also chafe and give rise to pressure sores on wearers who spend a lot of time lying on their side.
• WO 00/61049 has proposed improved nappy pants, in which the projecting sides seams have been eliminated.
• the side seams have been eliminated by virtue of elastic side portions extending continuously in one piece from the front portion of the nappy pants to their rear portion on both sides of the nappy pants.
• the nappy pants according to WO 00/61049 have a number of disadvantages.
• the nappy pants according to said publication have what is referred to as a chassis, which extends over the entire nappy pants and forms the front portion, the crotch portion and the rear portion and is most reminiscent of a conventional nappy, and also said elastic side panels which each overlap the chassis at both the front and the rear on the nappy pants.
• overlapping portions do not serve any actual purpose on the finished product and are in fact undesirable because a lot of material is wasted, that is to say they are used for no other purpose than joining together.
• the overlapping, joined-together portions are less of a nuisance and less uncomfortable for the wearer than the projecting side seams on previously known nappy pants. Owing to their unfavourable positioning, particularly at the rear, the overlapping portions can still give rise to a risk of chafing and back sores on wearers who spend a lot of time lying on their back.
• nappy pants according to WO 00/61049 is that said chassis is relatively large and, as this portion is relatively rigid at least in comparison with the elastic side portions of the nappy pants, the nappy pants as a whole are not as adaptable to the body of the wearer but there is a risk that the nappy pants will be displaced from their optimum position in relation to the body when a wearer lies in bed and moves.
• the rigid rear portion of the nappy pants can be displaced and pull both the crotch portion and the front portion from their optimum positions directly in front of the genitals of the wearer because the front and rear portion are essentially rigidly joined together in one piece with the crotch portion.
• an article of the type referred to in the introduction is to this end characterized in that said elastic waist portion is made from an elastic first piece which is elongate in the extended state and is intended to partly surround the trunk of the wearer and to form the rear portion and side portions of the pants-like article, in that a second piece forming part of the article is designed to form the front portion and crotch portion of the pants- like article, in that said second piece is elongate with two opposite end edges and two opposite longitudinal edges, in that the width of the second piece is, at least in the crotch portion, smaller than the length of the first piece, in that the second piece is arranged with its longitudinal direction at right angles in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first piece and is connected by a first end portion to one longitudinal edge portion of the first piece, centrally thereon, in that one end portion of the first piece is connected to a first side edge portion of the second piece, and in that the other end portion of the first piece is connected in a corresponding manner to a second side edge portion of the second piece, in
• the pants as a whole are more adaptable to body movements. Local irregularities are taken up and smoothed out by the continuous elastic piece and are not transferred to the more rigid parts of the front portion and crotch portion located directly in front of the genitals of the wearer.
• the article according to the present invention affords superior fit and comfort. Most of the pants-like garment is completely smooth. The seams required are arranged at the transition between the front portion and the first piece and at the transition between the first and the second piece in the crotch portion.
• the invention is characterized in that the length of the second piece is greater than the width of the first piece, and in that the projecting portion of the second piece formed by the length difference is in its entirety located below that side edge of the first piece which is the lower one during use of the article, and there forms the crotch portion.
• the invention is in this connection characterized in that said projecting portion has a smaller width than the remainder of the second piece.
• the invention is characterized in that the absorbent element extends in its longitudinal direction over the entire crotch portion and a little way up over the front portion in the direction of that side edge of the first piece which is the upper one during use of the article.
• the invention is characterized in that the absorbent element is arranged so as to extend with its lower end portion only a little way over the crotch portion and over less than half the extent of said projecting portion.
• the invention is in this connection characterized in that the absorbent element tapers in the direction of the crotch portion.
• the invention is characterized in that the absorbent element forms a concave shape with its side edge portions in the crotch area.
• the invention is characterized in that said connected side edge portions and end portions of said first and second pieces are, before connection, arranged in an overlapping manner, with the inside of an overlapping portion being arranged against the outside of an overlapped portion.
• the invention is characterized in that the second piece includes a liquid-permeable inner layer and said liquid- impermeable outer layer, and in that the absorbent element is arranged between said inner and outer layers, the inner and outer layers extending in the lateral direction and longitudinal direction outside the absorbent element and being interconnected there.
• the invention is characterized in that the liquid-impermeable layer only covers the absorbent element. According to one embodiment, the invention is thereby distinguished in that the rest of the second piece is breathable and vapour-permeable.
• the invention is characterized in that the liquid-impermeable outer layer is breathable and vapour-permeable, and that the rest of the article, over its entire area, is breathable and vapour- permeable.
• the first piece is rectangular, which simplifies the manufacturing.
• the second piece has a concave portion between the first piece and up to said side edge portions of the second piece, wherein the concave portion forms cut-outs for the legs of the wearer.
• the invention is thereby characterized in that the elastic members extend at least along the edges of the concave portion.
• the second piece is, at least along a part of its length, narrowing towards the first piece, wherein the narrowing portion forms cut-outs for the legs of the wearer.
• the invention is thereby characterized in that the elastic members are arranged along the edges of said narrowing portion for the forming of leg elastics.
• the invention is characterized in that the second piece is essentially inelastic.
• inelastic here denotes that the front section, under normally occurring stresses, does not stretch.
• the invention is characterized in that the elastic members extend from an area in the rear portion where the elastic first piece and the second piece overlap each other and further along the crotch portion along the edges of the second piece in a direction towards the front portion, whereby the elastic members are effectively connected with the elastic first piece.
• the leg elastic is connected with the waist elastic in the first piece, which gives the pants-like article a good fit.
• the invention is characterized in that the absorbent element comprises superabsorbent material and is continuously narrowing in a direction towards the rear portion of the article, and that the concentration of superabsorbent material increases in the same direction.
• a method of manufacturing an article of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized according to the invention in that said elastic waist portion is made from an elastic first piece which is essentially rectangular in the extended state and is intended to partly surround the trunk of the wearer and to form the rear portion and side portions of the pants-like article, in that a second piece forming part of the article is designed to form the front portion and crotch portion of the pants-like article, in that said second piece is elongate with two opposite end edges and two opposite longitudinal edges, in that the width of the second piece is, at least in the crotch portion, smaller than the length of the first piece, in that the second piece is arranged with its longitudinal direction at right angles in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first piece and is connected by a first end portion to one longitudinal edge portion of the first piece, centrally thereon, in that one end portion of the first piece is connected to a first side edge portion of the second piece, and in that the other end portion of the first piece is connected in a corresponding manner to a second side edge portion of the second piece
• the method is in this connection characterized in that the absorbent element is in its entirety arranged on the second piece forming part of the article before said piece is connected to said first piece.
• Fig. 1 shows schematically a phase of the construction of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment.
• Fig. 2 shows schematically in plane form an assembled article according to the first embodiment.
• Fig. 3 shows the article according to Fig. 2 in perspective.
• Fig. 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 5 shows schematically a phase of the construction of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment.
• Fig. 6 shows in plane form an assembled article according to the second embodiment.
• Fig. 7 shows in plane form an assembled article according to a third embodiment.
• Fig. 8 shows in plane view an assembled article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 9 shows schematically the distribution of superabsorbent material in one embodiment of an absorbent element belonging to the article.
• Fig. 10 shows a section along the line X-X in Fig. 8.
• the article in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 comprises a first piece 1.
• This piece is elastically stretchable and is shown in Fig. 1 in a plane and even extended state, in which the elastic piece 1 is essentially rectangular.
• the elastic first piece 1 can be made from conventional materials well-known to the person skilled in the art, such as woven elastic materials, elastic non-wovens, elastic laminates or elastic films.
• Another alternative is a material with prestressed elastic threads arranged on a supporting material, for example non-woven.
• the important factor is that the elastic piece is stretchable for a wearer when the article is put on, and that it fits closely with suitable tightness around the wearer during use of the article. The tightness is of course regulated by means of size and elastic stretchability.
• the article includes a second piece 2 which, as can be seen from Figs. 1 and 4, consists of an outer layer 3, an inner layer 4 and an absorbent element 5 arranged between these. In the embodiment in plane form shown in Fig. 1 , this element is essentially triangular.
• the material selected for the absorption element is not critical, but it can be chosen from among materials or material combinations well-known to the person skilled in the art.
• the absorbent element can consist of cellulose fluff pulp with superabsorbent materials in powder or fibre form added in.
• the absorbent element can also consist of a foam material with or without superabsorbent material.
• the outer layer 3 may suitably be liquid-impermeable and breathable.
• the breathable and liquid-impermeable layer 3 may have a so-called MTVR-value in the order of magnitude of 200-10000 g/m2/24h.
• MTVR stands for "Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate", i.e. the amount of vapour which can pass per unit area during a certain period of time.
• Said breathable portion suitably has an MTVR-value in the order of magnitude of 500-5000 g/m2/24h and most preferably in the order of magnitude of 1000-3000 g/m2/24h.
• a problem with absorbent articles of pants-like shape is namely that conventional articles of this kind tightly enclose the area around the genitals of the wearer, whereby this area, when body fluids are excreted, becomes locally saturated with moisture and vapour, which has an adverse effect on the skin of the wearer. In some cases disturbing skin irritation can occur. Furthermore, also minor chafing of the article against the skin of the wearer, in combination with a moist environment and during lengthy usage of the article, can give rise to sores on older people with flesh that heals poorly. It is not required that the elastic first piece is liquid-impermeable.
• the elastic first piece 1 should have good breathability
• Breathable and vapour-permeable but liquid-impermeable materials for use in absorbent articles, such as nappies, incontinence products or sanitary towels, are previously known.
• Breathable materials can consist of perforated plastic films, as described in US 5,628,737, or of micro-porous plastic films, as described in, for example, EP-A-0238200.
• Another example of breathable materials are so-called non-woven materials which are air-permeable and vapour-permeable and which, if required, have been treated with means to improve the liquid-impermeability, as is described in EP-A-0196654.
• absorbent articles of pants-like shape with a fit which tightly encloses around the wearer, the need for air-permeability and vapour-permeability is especially important.
• the liquid-impermeable and breathable layer 3 can, for example, consist of a perforated polyethylene film, where the size of the holes has been chosen so that air and vapour may pass, but not liquid drops. If an absorbent article with a more textile-like appearance is desired, a liquid-impermeable film in combination with an outer fibre layer is suitable.
• Breathable and vapour-permeable but liquid-impermeable materials for use in absorbent articles, such as nappies, incontinence products and sanitary towels, are previously known in different embodiments.
• Breathable materials can, as mentioned above, consist of perforated plastic films.
• the liquid-impermeable and breathable outer layer 3 can also consist of micro-porous plastic films, as is described in, for example, EP-A-0238200.
• Another example of breathable materials are so-called non-woven which are air-permeable and vapour- permeable and which, if required, have been treated with means to improve the liquid-impermeability, as is described in EP-A-0196654.
• the inner layer 4 can be made from a liquid-permeable non-woven.
• the second piece 2 is elongate and is arranged with its longitudinal direction at right angles in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first piece 1.
• the second piece 2 is connected by one end portion 6 to one longitudinal edge portion 7 of the first piece 1 , centrally thereon.
• the connection can be made by means of, for example, adhesive, thermal bonding or ultrasonic bonding.
• Elastic members 23,24 are arranged along the edge portions of the second piece, which elastic members, in the shown embodiment, are made from elastic bands, extending from the first piece 1 , over the crotch portion and over the entire extent of the absorbent element 5.
• the elastic members are intended to serve as leg elastics and to lie in sealing contact with the legs of the wearer along the crotch portion of the wearer, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
• the elastic members 23,24 may be arranged in prestressed condition on the second piece 2.
• the elastic members may be made of a material which is arranged in an unstressed, untensioned condition, and which shrinks and becomes elastic only when heated. Such elastic members are well known to the person skilled in the art and are for this reason not further described.
• Elastic members which become effective only on thermal treatment are suitably subjected to required thermal treatment only when the absorbent articles are arranged in packages, whereby processing and packaging are simplified compared to elastic members which are arranged on the second piece 2 in prestressed condition.
• the arrows A and B illustrate how the first and second pieces are folded to form the absorbent article of pants-like shape shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
• the elastic piece 1 is folded in according to the arrows A shown to form the rear portion 8 and side portions 9, 10 of the article, while the second piece is folded upwards according to the arrows B to form the front portion 11 and crotch portion 12 of the article.
• one end portion 13 of the first piece is arranged so as to be overlapped a little by a first side edge portion 14 of the second piece, and the other end portion 15 of the first piece is in a corresponding manner arranged so as to be overlapped a little by a second side edge portion 16 of the second piece.
• overlapping portions are interconnected by means of, for example, adhesive, thermal bonding or ultrasonic bonding.
• the front portion and the crotch portion can be arranged detachably along said overlapping portions 13, 14 and 15, 16.
• Such a detachable connection can be made by means of, for example, hook means (not shown), as a result of which the pants-like article can be opened and subsequently reclosed with the same fit and tightness.
• FIG. 4 the thickness of the second piece has been exaggerated for the sake of clarity.
• the figure shows an outer layer 3 consisting of a laminate of a plastic film 17 and a non-woven layer 18 arranged outside.
• the inner layer 4 can consist of a liquid-permeable non-woven of a type well-known to the person skilled in the art.
• the absorbent element 5 is hourglass-shaped in plane form, as can be seen most clearly from Fig. 5, the narrower portion being intended to be arranged in the crotch of the wearer during use of the article.
• the upper end edge 19 of the absorbent element 5 is located directly adjacent to the lower edge portion 7 of the first elastic piece, which means that the absorbent element according to this second embodiment extends over the entire crotch area and a little way up over the front portion 11 , as can be seen from Fig. 6.
• each elastic member 23,24 is arcuately arranged along the side edges of the absorbent element 5 and extend, as is evident from Fig. 5, from the upper elastic first piece 1 and down over the crotch portion of the article. As is evident from Fig. 5, the end portions of the elastic members 23,24 bridge that end portion 6 of the second piece which overlaps the first elastic piece 1. Thus, the elastic members are operatively connected, in the rear portion 8 of the article, with the first elastic piece 1.
• the opposite end of each elastic member 23,24 does not extend all the way to the side edges of the second piece 2, but are arranged so that the elastic members in the state of use of the article, which is shown in Fig. 6, do not reach all the way to the side portions 9,10 of the first elastic piece.
• the relationship is the same in the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3.
• the elastic piece 1 and the elastic members have an elastic characteristic which allows an extension of up to the order of magnitude of twice the length with constant extension force.
• An absorbent article of a certain size can thereby be used on wearers of different sizes without the pressure from the elastic being varied, which in its turn leads to a very limited assortment of different sizes of the absorbent article being required in order to cover the need of sizes for wearers of different sizes.
• the second piece 2 has been shaped rectangular.
• the second piece 2 may, of course, be provided with leg cut-outs which follow the curved elastic members and the curved edge portions of the hourglass-shaped absorbent element.
• Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment which is slightly modified in relation to the first embodiment.
• the elastic members 23,24 have another extent and that a part piece 21 of the second piece is made narrower than the remainder of the second piece, in which way a pants-like article with a narrower crotch portion is obtained, as can be seen from Fig. 7.
• the elastic members 23,24 extend to the edge sides of the second piece and into each joint between the pieces, as can be seen from Fig. 7.
• the details corresponding to similar details in the other embodiments have been provided with the same reference numbers.
• the second piece 2 has a concave portion 22 which extends from the first piece 1 towards the side edge portions 14,16. These are, as in the above described embodiments, intended to be connected with the end portions 13 and 15 on the first piece 1.
• the first piece 1 is, in this connection as well as in the rest of the embodiments described above, formed of an elastic material and is intended during use of the article to achieve an elastic tightening around the waist of the wearer, which tightening keeps the article in place and gives it a good fit.
• the elastic members 23,24 are arranged along both sides of the concave portion 22 for the forming of leg elastic, which during use of the article is intended to be in sealing contact with the legs of the wearer.
• the elastic members 23, 24 extend from the elastic first piece 1 to the side edge portions 14,16. The completed, assembled, pants-like article will thereby be elastically tight-fitting around both of the legs of the wearer. In this manner a good fit is obtained.
• the article can, as described above, without any annoying chafing, be used by wearers of different sizes. In such a design, the number of requisite sizes can be kept down, which leads to savings and rational manufacturing compared to if there is a need for a larger assortment of sizes.
• Fig. 9 schematically shows the absorbent element 5 according to a suitable embodiment.
• the absorbent element 5 has been designed as narrowing in that direction which during use of the article is directed rearwards.
• a complication with this narrowing design is that the absorbent element is narrowest in that portion which during use of the article is situated substantially in front of the genitals of the wearer, in which portion the demand for absorption capacity is greatest.
• the superabsorbent material according to a suitable embodiment where the superabsorbent material is part of the absorbent element in the form of particles or fibres, has been arranged with an increasing concentration in said narrowing direction. This has been illustrated in Fig. 9 with the number of shown dots in correspondence with a gradient of the number of superabsorbent particles per unit volume of the absorbent element 5 in said direction.
• the liquid-impermeable but breathable outer layer 3 consists of a layer of the second piece.
• the liquid-impermeable outer layer is arranged only over the absorbent element, and forms an outer layer of said element.
• a cross section along the line X-X in Fig. 8 is shown, in order to illustrate this.
• the absorbent element is here enclosed between a liquid-permeable layer 26, for example of non-woven, and of a liquid-impermeable and at the same time breathable layer 27, for example of a perforated plastic film.
• the two layers 26,27 extend beyond the absorbent element and a distance around it and are there interconnected.
• the unit formed by the absorbent element 5 and the two layers 26 and 27 is attached to the second piece 2 of the absorbent article, wherein the liquid-permeable layer 26 has been connected to the second piece 2, as is shown in Fig. 10.
• the absorption unit shown in Fig. 10, consisting of the absorbent element 5 and the layers 26 and 27, may be replaced with an absorbent foam material in one piece, which foam material is provided with an integral liquid-impermeable and at the same time air-permeable layer.
• liquid-impermeable and breathable it also implies that the material in question also is vapour- permeable, but that it does not allow passage of liquid drops.
• the liquid-impermeable outer layer 3 can, within the scope of the invention, be made of an air-impermeable material.
• connection by means of attaching the inside of each of the end edge portions of the first piece to the inside of each side edge portion of the second piece, or by means of connecting corresponding edge portions outside to outside.
• the article according to the invention has turned out to be especially suitable as incontinence shields for men.
• Other applications such as menstrual shields or incontinence shields for women, are also conceivable.
• the highest absorption capacity per unit area for the narrowest area has been achieved by means of varying the content of superabsorbent material.
• Another method of achieving higher absorption capacity in the narrowest area is to form the absorbent element with a higher basis weight in this area. This can, for example, be carried out on an absorbent element formed from a fluff pulp of cellulose.
• the absorption capacity for an absorbent element of a fluff pulp may also be controlled by varying the density and/or the thickness in different portions.
• the absorbent element can, of course within the scope of the invention, be formed from other materials, for example absorbent foam materials.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 2001
  • 2001-12-28 SE SE0104437A patent/SE0104437L/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2002
  • 2002-12-11 WO PCT/SE2002/002289 patent/WO2003059225A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2002-12-11 EP EP02793625.1A patent/EP1465567B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-12-11 MX MXPA04005534A patent/MXPA04005534A/es unknown
  • 2002-12-11 JP JP2003559391A patent/JP4373218B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-12-11 AU AU2002359116A patent/AU2002359116A1/en not_active Abandoned

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